JP3303830B2 - Method for canceling measures to reduce power consumption of remote controller for water heater - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for canceling power consumption reduction measures of a remote control device for a water heater, and more particularly to a method for reducing power consumption of a remote control device when a water heater is not used. The technology relates to the cancellation of reduction measures.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many instantaneous water heaters recently provided with a remote control device for remotely controlling a water heater main body performing a combustion operation are provided.

In a water heater equipped with such a remote control device, the remote control device has an operation on / off switch (hereinafter, referred to as an operation switch) for switching between a standby state and an operation state of the remote control device, and a hot water supply. Various switch groups such as a hot water supply temperature setting switch for switching the set temperature are provided.

When the remote control device is in a standby state due to the operation of the operation switch being turned off, no other switch operation of the remote control device is accepted, while the remote control device is turned on and the remote control device is turned on. Is in the operating state, all other switch operations of the remote control device are enabled, and in this state, if a callan or the like connected to the water heater is opened, the combustion operation in the water heater main body is started, and the hot water temperature is increased. The water at the temperature set by the setting switch is configured to be discharged to the outside from the above-mentioned curan or the like.

Usually, in this type of remote control device, a remote control operator (hereinafter, referred to as a user) recognizes a current setting state of the remote control device (for example, a hot water supply set temperature and a bath set temperature). In addition, a setting display unit composed of a fluorescent tube, a liquid crystal panel, etc. is provided on the front of the remote control device, and the power consumption of this type of remote control device is large, so that if the user forgets to turn off the operation switch, However, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the remote control device is set to a standby state, a part of the display of the setting display unit is turned off, or the display brightness of the entire setting display unit is reduced, and further, all the displays of the setting display unit are displayed. Measures such as turning off only the lamp indicating that the remote control device is in the standby state while turning off the light (reducing power consumption) have been taken (Japanese Patent Application No. 63-63). No. 85917).

[0006] When the above-described power consumption reduction measure is executed, the effect of reducing the power consumption is produced.
For example, in the above-mentioned prior application, it is necessary to perform a switch operation of a remote controller, and the conventional release operation is extremely troublesome. As a method of solving the trouble, the applicant of the present application has released a curan by opening a curan to cancel the power consumption reduction measure. A technique for executing the operation has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-333831).

[0007]

However, although the cancellation operation of the power consumption reduction measure proposed above has the simplicity of opening the callan, it is possible to open the callan momentarily against the user's intention. Even so, the power consumption reduction measures were canceled, and a sufficient reduction in power consumption could not be achieved.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and has as its object to provide a remote control for a water heater that is effective as an energy saving measure in which a measure for reducing power consumption is not canceled against a user's intention. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for canceling a measure for reducing power consumption of a device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate of flowing water in a path connected to a heat exchanger passage, and the hot water supply stop state is detected by the flow rate sensor. After that, a predetermined power consumption reduction measure is executed for the remote control device of the water heater under predetermined conditions, and the power consumption reduction measure is a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate set in advance by the flow rate sensor. in those but which is released when it is detected, releasing operation of the power consumption reduction measures, predetermined through water flow or more flow starts to operate and Ru is detected by the flow rate sensor, prior to combustion ignition
A prepurge operation, an ignition operation subsequent to the prepurge operation, and
Confirm the process of preliminary operation of hot water supply consisting of the process of ignition check
It is characterized by being executed after performing .

[0010] The predetermined condition for executing the power consumption reduction measure in the present invention is that, when the time during which the flow of water at a predetermined flow rate or more is not detected after the stop of hot water supply has continued for a predetermined time, the flow of water at a predetermined flow rate or more after the stop of hot water supply is stopped. Is not detected and the switches of the remote control device are not operated for a predetermined time, or after the stop of tapping, no flow of water at a predetermined flow rate or more is detected, and the temperature of hot water in the downstream passage of the heat exchanger falls to a predetermined temperature or lower. And so on.

[0011] Here, the power consumption reduction measure means various measures for reducing the power consumption of the remote control device, and is specifically executed, for example, by turning off the operation switch. In the standby state, a part of the display of the setting display unit is turned off, or the display brightness of the entire setting display unit is reduced, and furthermore, all the display of the setting display unit is turned off while the remote control device is in the standby state. Means to turn on only the lamp indicating the effect. In other words, in the standby state executed by turning off the operation switch of the remote control device, various measures are taken to reduce the power consumption of the remote control device, and the water heater main body side bidirectionally connected to the remote control device is operated. It is general to put the control unit in a resting state, but the power consumption reduction measure in the present invention merely means various measures for reducing the power consumption in the remote control device, and the water heater main body side. The control for putting the control unit in the sleep state is not necessarily performed.

[0012] In the present invention, release measures after the power consumption reduction measures have been allowed to run a predetermined passing water flow or more flow starts to operate and Ru is detected by the flow rate sensor, a combustion ignition
Previous prepurge operation, ignition operation following the prepurge operation
And one of the hot water supply preparatory operations
It is characterized by being executed after confirmation .

As described above, according to the present invention , the cancellation of the power consumption reducing measure after the power consumption reducing measure has been executed may be simply an operation of opening the callan, and the operation is simple. Moreover, since the release is not executed when the callan is opened momentarily, it is possible to prevent the user from releasing the callan by an unintended callan operation.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a method for reducing power consumption of a remote control device for a water heater according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an instantaneous water heater to which a method of reducing power consumption of a remote control device for a water heater according to the present invention is applied.
Remote controller 3 for remotely controlling the operation of water heater main body 2
And as a main part.

The water heater main body 2 includes a heat exchanger (can) 4 and
A water inlet pipe 5 and a hot water pipe 6 connected to both ends of the heat exchanger 4, a bypass pipe 7 that connects the water inlet pipe 5 and the hot water pipe 6 by bypassing the heat exchanger 4, and a hot water pipe 6
A can body thermistor (temperature sensor) 8 provided for detecting the body temperature, a water quantity sensor (flow rate sensor) 9 similarly provided for the tapping pipe 6 for detecting the flow rate of hot water, the can body thermistor 8 and the water quantity Based on the value detected by the sensor 9 and the like,
The control unit 10 that controls each unit of the water heater 1 is mainly configured.

More specifically, the heat exchanger 4 is a so-called fin type heat exchanger, and is configured to be heated by a combustion device (not shown). The inlet pipe 5
One end is connected to the water inlet side of the heat exchanger 4, and the other end is connected to a water source such as water supply, and water supplied from this water source can be heated by the heat exchanger 4. The tapping pipe 6 has one end connected to the tapping side of the heat exchanger 4 and the other end connected to a hot water supply currant (not shown), a bath drop circuit (not shown), or the like. The hot water heated by the exchanger 4 is supplied to a hot water supply curl and a bathtub (not shown).

Further, the bypass pipe 7 is for adjusting the temperature of the hot water flowing out of the tapping pipe 6, and is configured to be able to supply a part of the water flowing through the inlet pipe 5 to the tapping pipe 6. There is a bypass flow control valve 1 on the piping route.
1 is provided. And in the water heater 1 of the illustrated example,
The water supply pipe 5, the heat exchanger 4, the bypass pipe 7, and the tapping pipe 6 form a hot water supply pipe path.

The can body thermistor 8 is a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of hot and cold water flowing in the piping path.
In the illustrated example, the can body thermistor 8 is disposed immediately downstream of the heat exchanger 4 and detects the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger 4. Further, the water amount sensor 9 is a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate of water flowing in the pipe route, and is disposed downstream of a connection point between the tapping pipe 6 and the bypass pipe 7 in the illustrated example, and is provided with the water heater main body 2. It is assumed that the flow rate of the hot water from the water is detected. Since the water amount sensor 9 only needs to be able to detect the flow rate of hot water from the water heater main body 2, it can be provided on the water inlet pipe 5 upstream of the connection point with the bypass pipe 7.

The control unit 10 is composed of a microcomputer having a bidirectional communication function with the remote control device 3. The control unit 10 receives detection signals from various sensors (not shown) in addition to the can body thermistor 8 and the water amount sensor 9. The state of the water heater main body 2 is determined based on the control of the water heater main body 2 based on a control signal from a remote control device 3 to be described later. Is what you do. Specifically, for example, a temperature obtained by adding a certain temperature to the hot water supply set temperature set by the remote control device 3 is set as a can body set temperature, and the combustion device is set so that the detected temperature of the can body thermistor 8 becomes equal to this can body set temperature. In order to make the hot water heated by the heat exchanger 4 the hot water supply set temperature, the detection temperature of a hot water supply thermistor (not shown) (temperature sensor for detecting the hot water supply temperature) matches the hot water supply set temperature. In such a manner, control is performed to adjust the flow rate of the bypass flow rate control valve 11.

On the other hand, the remote controller 3
Output a control signal to the water heater main body 2
A remote controller for remotely controlling the
The remote controller 3 is provided with various switches such as a hot water supply temperature setting switch for switching a hot water supply set temperature, in addition to an operation switch (not shown) for switching the operation state / standby state of the remote control device. And a setting display section for displaying the state of the water heater 2 and the operation state of the water heater main body 2 so as to be visually confirmed.

The setting display unit includes a display panel including a fluorescent tube, a liquid crystal panel, and the like provided on the front surface of the remote controller,
Alternatively, it is composed of lamps for displaying the on / off status of the switch by turning on / off, and the specific arrangement thereof is specifically set according to the function of the water heater.

In the remote controller according to the present embodiment, when the operation switch is turned off (that is, when the operation switch is turned off).
When the remote control device has shifted to the standby state), part of the display of the setting display unit is turned off, the display brightness of the entire setting display unit is reduced, and all the display of the setting display unit is turned off. On the other hand, power consumption reduction measures such as turning on only a lamp indicating that the remote control device is in the standby state are taken, and the control unit 10 is brought into the sleep state.

That is, in the water heater 1 shown in the present embodiment, the user first turns on the operation switch of the remote controller 3 before starting hot water supply, and the remote controller 3 and the controller 10
When the hot water supply is ended and the water heater 1 is not used, the operation switch of the remote control device 3 is turned off to put the remote control device 3 into a standby state, and the control unit 10 is set to a sleep state. By doing so, the above-described power consumption reduction measure is executed, power consumption is reduced when the water heater 1 is not used, and unnecessary hot water supply is prevented.

In the water heater 1 according to the present embodiment, when the power consumption reduction measure of the remote controller is other than the operation of turning off the operation switch, for example, the user of the water heater 1 forgets to turn off the operation switch. In such cases,
When the above-described predetermined condition is satisfied, that is, when the time during which the flow of water at a predetermined flow rate or more is not detected after the stop of hot water supply continues for a predetermined time, the flow of water at a predetermined flow rate or more is not detected after the stop of hot water supply and the switches of the remote control device are not connected. Is not operated for a predetermined time, or when the flow of water at a predetermined flow rate or more is not detected after the hot water supply is stopped and the temperature of hot water in the downstream passage of the heat exchanger falls to a predetermined temperature or less, the processing is automatically executed. Is configured. Hereinafter, an example in which the power consumption reduction measure is executed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Automatic execution of power consumption reduction measures: (1) First, a hot water supply operation is started in step S1 of FIG. At this time, the operation switch of the remote controller 3 is in the ON state as described above, and the remote controller 3 is in the operating state.

(2) When the user closes the hot water supply curan and stops hot water supply (stops hot water supply),
, A decrease in the hot water flow rate is detected, and the control unit 10 determines whether or not the hot water supply has stopped (step S2 in FIG. 2).

(3) If it is determined in step S2 in FIG. 2 that the hot water supply has been stopped, the process proceeds to step S3 in FIG.
In, it is determined whether or not the user has turned off the operation switch in remote control device 3. At this time, if the operation of turning off the operation switch has been performed by the user, the process shifts to step S6 in FIG. 2 and the remote control device 3 shifts to the standby state.

(4) On the other hand, when the operation of turning off the driving switch is not performed by the user, it is determined as a next step whether or not the predetermined condition described above is met (FIG. 2).
Step S4).

If it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG. 2 to set a measure for reducing the power consumption of the remote controller 3 automatically. Note that this automatic power consumption reduction measure is different from the above-described off-operation by manual operation by the user, and is different from the above-described control unit 10.
, The control command for the remote controller 3 is adopted, and the internal processing of the remote controller 3 receiving the control command automatically performs the power consumption reduction measure of the display unit of the remote controller 3. It should be noted that in the flowcharts of FIG. 2 and FIGS.
For convenience, the state in which the automatic power consumption reduction measure is executed is included in the standby state executed at the time of the OFF operation by the user's manual operation.

Therefore, in the water heater 1 according to the present embodiment, even if the user stops the hot water supply in a state where the user has forgotten to turn off the operation switch of the remote control device 3, the remote control device may be stopped when a certain period of time has elapsed since the stop of the hot water supply. Then, the automatic power consumption reduction measure 3 is set, and the process proceeds to the power consumption reduction measure (standby state) of the remote control device 3 (step S6 in FIG. 2). As a result, the above-described power consumption reduction measure is executed. Therefore, in the water heater 1 shown in the present embodiment,
It is possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption due to forgetting to turn off the operation switch.

According to the present invention, in the case where the above-mentioned automatic power consumption reduction measure is automatically executed, the operation for canceling the power consumption can be performed simply and without erroneous operation. It will be described based on the following. Automatic release of measures to reduce power consumption: Figures 3 and 5 are disclosed by the applicant in the earlier application
4 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts of the technique according to the present invention.
5 is a flowchart showing the technique of FIG. Note that the processes from step S1 to step S5 in FIG. 3 are the same as those in FIG. 2, and thus detailed description is omitted.

Therefore, in step S5 in FIG. 3, after the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote control device 3 is set and the power consumption reduction measure is executed, a predetermined flow rate of water (for example, in the water heater 1) is detected by the water amount sensor 9. It is determined whether or not a flow rate equal to or greater than the minimum required water flow rate required for the combustion operation of (i.e., the minimum operation water flow rate) is detected (step S6 in FIG. 3), and subsequently, it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed in the above detection state ( In step S7 in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 outputs a command to cancel the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote controller 3 to the remote controller 3 (step S8 in FIG. 3). As a result, the remote control device 3 automatically cancels the above-described power consumption reduction measure by internal processing, and returns to step S1 in FIG. 3 to restart hot water supply.

In FIG. 3, it is determined in step S6 in FIG. 3 whether or not a flow rate equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate is detected by the water flow sensor 9. Subsequently, in step S7 in FIG. The automatic power reduction measure is canceled by judging that the steps S6 and S7 in FIG. 4 are changed to the steps S6 in FIG. 4 shown in the flowchart of FIG. This is also possible, and will be specifically described below. The processing from step S1 in FIG. 4 to step S5 in FIG. 4 is the same as that in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S5 of FIG.
After the automatic power consumption reduction measures are set and the power consumption reduction measures are executed, a predetermined flow rate (for example, the minimum required for the combustion operation in the water heater 1) is determined by the water amount sensor 9 in the control unit 10. When a flow rate equal to or more than the minimum operating water flow rate is detected (step S6 in FIG. 4), the control unit 10 starts a hot water supply preparatory operation. The hot water supply preparatory operation is a pre-purge operation before combustion ignition, an ignition operation following the pre-purge operation, and an ignition check. Since the hot water supply operation is started after the hot water preparatory operation, the hot water preparatory operation is performed in step S7 in FIG. By detecting the input of the ignition signal to the control unit 10 in the ignition confirmation operation, which is one of the processes, the control unit 10 instructs the remote control device 3 to cancel the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote control device 3. This is output (step S8 in FIG. 4). As a result, the remote control device 3 automatically cancels the automatic power consumption reduction measure by internal processing. As described above, even in the flowchart of FIG. 4, even when the power consumption reducing measure of the remote control device 3 is automatically executed, the power consumption reducing measure is automatically released when the curan operation for restarting hot water supply is performed. Thus, the user can perform the hot water supply operation while checking the display on the remote control device.

Restriction on Automatic Cancellation of Power Consumption Reduction Measure: Next, the restriction on the automatic release operation of the power consumption reduction measure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The processing from step S1 to step S6 in FIG. 5 is the same as that from step S1 to step S6 in FIG.

That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the automatic canceling operation of the power consumption reducing measure has been described.
In the case of the flowchart of FIG. 3, for example, even when the user mistakenly thinks that the operation switch has been turned off, if the water amount sensor 9 detects that the flow of water at a predetermined flow rate or more has continued for a predetermined time, an automatic operation is performed. The operation of canceling the power consumption reduction measure is performed. Therefore, in the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is assumed that after a predetermined time has elapsed from the stop of hot water supply, it is assumed that the user has recognized that the operation switch has been turned off, and the canceling operation of the automatic power consumption reduction measure is invalidated. It is.

Specifically, when the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote controller 3 is executed in step S5 in FIG. 5, the flow rate is detected by the water amount sensor 9 in step S6 in FIG. In the following step S10, the hot water supply is stopped (see step S2 in FIG. 5) and the water amount sensor 9 is turned off.
Then, the elapsed time until the detection of the predetermined flow rate is counted, and it is determined whether or not the counted time is within a predetermined time (B in the illustrated example).

Only when the predetermined time B has not elapsed, the flow proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 5 to determine whether or not the detection of the predetermined flow rate has continued for a predetermined time. In step S8, an operation for canceling the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote control device 3 is performed. When the predetermined time B has elapsed, the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote control device 3 is continued. For the specific setting of the predetermined time B, for example, a dedicated time setting switch is provided in the switch group of the remote control device 3, and the predetermined time set each time the time setting switch is operated is increased by a predetermined time. It is preferable to be able to increase or decrease (for example, in 5 minutes).

With this configuration, when the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote control device 3 is executed, even if the user opens the callan or the like in an illusion that the user has turned off the operation switch, Since hot water does not flow out of the hot water supply run or the like, it becomes possible for the user to operate the water heater 1 with peace of mind.

The restriction on the cancellation of the automatic power consumption reduction measure can also be applied to the case of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, and will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing from step S1 to step S6 in FIG. 6 is the same as that from step S1 to step S6 in FIG.

In the flowchart of FIG. 4, for example, even when the user mistakenly thinks that the operation switch has been turned off, the control unit 10 detects that the water amount sensor 9 has passed a predetermined flow rate or more, and performs the hot water supply preparatory operation. Is detected, an operation of canceling the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote control device 3 is performed. Therefore, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the stop of hot water supply, it is estimated that the user has recognized that the operation switch has been turned off, and the release operation of the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote control device 3 is performed. Shall be invalid.

Specifically, when the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote controller 3 is executed in step S5 in FIG. 6, the water amount sensor 9 of the control unit 10 is controlled in step S6 in FIG.
The flow rate is detected at step S
In 10, the elapsed time from the stop of hot water supply (see step S <b> 2 in FIG. 6) to the detection of the predetermined flow rate by the water amount sensor 9 is counted, and the counted time is set to a predetermined predetermined time (B minutes in the illustrated example). ) Is determined.

Then, only when the predetermined time B has not elapsed, the flow proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 6 to confirm the hot water supply preparatory operation.
In step S8 in FIG. 6, cancellation of the automatic power consumption reduction measure is executed. If the predetermined time B has elapsed, the remote power control unit 3 does not execute the cancellation of the automatic power consumption reduction measure. For the specific setting of the predetermined time B, for example, a dedicated time setting switch is provided in the switch group of the remote control device 3, and the predetermined time set each time the time setting switch is operated is increased by a predetermined time. It is preferable to be able to increase or decrease (for example, in 5 minutes).

With this configuration, when the automatic power consumption reduction measure of the remote controller 3 is executed, even if the user opens the callan or the like in an illusion that the user has turned off the operation switch, Since hot water does not flow out of the hot water supply run or the like, it becomes possible for the user to operate the water heater 1 with peace of mind.

The above-described embodiment merely shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this, and various design changes can be made within the scope.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of remote control devices 3 is singular has been described, but the number of remote control devices used in the present invention may be plural. The device may be configured to be manageable. Similarly, in the above embodiment,
Although the case where the water heater main body 2 and the remote control device 3 are connected by wire is illustrated, it is needless to say that the two can be linked in a wireless manner.

[0048]

As described above in detail, according to the method of releasing the power consumption reduction measures hot water supply dexterity remote control device of the present invention, the release after the automatic power reduction measures have been executed,
It is sufficient to simply open the callan, the operation is simple, and the instantaneous opening of the callan does not cancel the callan. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the callan that is not intended to be canceled by the user.

[0049] Furthermore, since in order to detect one process of the hot water supply preliminary operation constant flow or water passage Tokoro is started is detected, the automatic power reduction measures not even require novel structure such as timer setting Can be easily released.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water heater employing a method for reducing power consumption of a water heater remote control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a method of reducing power consumption of the remote control device for the water heater.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for canceling the power consumption reduction measure of the water heater remote control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for canceling the power consumption reduction measure of the water heater remote control device according to the present invention .

5 is a flow chart showing another example of a method of releasing the power consumption reduction measures water heater remote control device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of a method for canceling the power consumption reduction measure of the water heater remote controller according to the present invention .

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot-water heater 2 Hot-water heater main body 3 Remote control device 4 Heat exchanger 5 Water inlet pipe 6 Hot-water outlet pipe 7 Bypass pipe 8 Can body thermistor (temperature sensor) 9 Water quantity sensor (flow rate sensor) 10 Control part

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-11-325462 (JP, A) JP-A-10-132381 (JP, A) JP-A-11-316565 (JP, A) JP-A 8- 166164 (JP, A) JP-A-11-294844 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-161669 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F23N 5/26 F24H 1 / 00,1 / 10

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A flow sensor for detecting a flow rate of flowing water in a passage connected to a heat exchanger passage, and a remote control device of the water heater under a predetermined condition after a hot water supply stop state is detected by the flow sensor. A predetermined power consumption reduction measure is executed, and the power consumption reduction measure is released when a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate is detected by the flow rate sensor. releasing operation of the reduction measures, predetermined through water flow or more flow starts to operate and Ru is detected by the flow rate sensor, prior to combustion ignition
A prepurge operation, an ignition operation subsequent to the prepurge operation, and
Confirm the process of preliminary operation of hot water supply consisting of the process of ignition check
A method for canceling power consumption reduction measures of a remote control device for a water heater, the method being executed after the operation .